Jakub watched, his frustration growing with each of Lucian's dramatically ragged breaths, "Embrace that feeling majesty. That feeling is your people crying out for you to save them! How many times have you ignored them! Shoved them aside!" Jakub demanded throwing the pentagram at him.
"Stop ignoring them damnit!" Jakub roared as Jaxon caught the bone artifact, "Just grow up already!" Jakub screamed, "Stop coddling him! He's a fucking emperor! If he can kill off his family, he can man up and do his damn job! That or we kill him and get someone who will do it!"
Novak stepped up patting Jakub's shoulder, spittle had been flying all over the place, some even landing on Jaxon and Lucian. "Jakub, let's focus on winning a few feathers. We don't have time or the resources to find someone else." Not to mention, the alternative was far from ideal.
Jaxon stared up at Jakub, then slowly shifted his gaze back to Lucian, "Luc… what are you feeling?" Jaxon kept his voice low and coaxing, the holy mana had always been uncomfortable, but who knew how much worse the feeling was depending on the person?
Jakub wanted to kick Jaxon aside, but… "You wouldn't feel anything, you aren't part of the bloodline. Lucian should be reacting to the holy light," Jakub was a little more tolerant of Jaxon and the brother after learning the truth… it would make sense Jaxon watched of Lucian so closely… but that wasn't an excuse for Lucian, "Promise's mana should kindle or encourage his own holy mana, but he's resisting it." Jakub added in a snarl.
Jaxon clenched his jaw, "It's like being boiled from the inside, not exactly a pleasant feeling, and hardly one anyone would willingly embrace." Jaxon rebuked trying to keep his tone civil. When the death mage looked down at him… pityingly… Jaxon's heart clenched.
Jakub took a deep breath, "For you and your brother yes, but that's because the dragon blood in your veins isn't compatible with the faith. They are fire dragons; your blood is mix of earth and water… there's a reason priests need extensive training." Jakub explained in as kind a tone he could manage, then with a sneer continued, "He should feel little more than pleasant bath."
Jaxon didn't waver, "Then your information is wrong, because a pleasant bath, wouldn't invoke such a stressful reaction. Maybe the previous priests also experimented on his majesty." Jaxon added glancing at the priests.
Jakub really looked at Lucian… sweating, tense, eyes dazed, heavy breathing… it could be possible. But for none of the three to be aware… "I'll take that into consideration. That means I need some blood and flesh to test it out. IF that is why it's so hard for him to find the light…" Jakub conceded but still glared.
Novak narrowed his eyes but kept his smile, "It would be strange if none of the beasts noticed his majesty being tainted… but that may also be why Serafin and Natasha will not be considered dragonkin."
Jaxon glared as he stood up, "His majesty is not tainted, but we need to know why and how to embrace the light, just yelling and insulting him isn't going to get us anywhere." The idea of a necromancer having access to Lucian's flesh and blood sent chills down Jaxon's spine… but there might not be another way to tell what the real obstacles are.
Novak's eyes were only open a slit as he kept his amiable persona, "Of course, none of us want his majesty to fail. That means both sides will have to be honest. So far, Jakub has been doing the lions share of work, and all the sharing."
"We gave you the three priests that you were able to get the information from. They are now little more than your puppets, I dare say we have not come to the table empty handed." Sebastian interjected before Jaxon could continue. Sebastian had been silent thus far because he had nothing to contribute, but he was not going to let them claim all the credit.
Novak glanced over Sebastian, still loyal to the imperials… but not blindly, "You had them for weeks and got nothing out of them, Jakub did all the work, and shared the information."
Sebastian raised a brow, "I do recall Lord Caius sent a familiar under the guise of Lord Reece to assist him, though I may not understand exactly how, you were both clearly impressed." Sebastian deliberately glanced over the reversed pentagram in Jaxon's still clutched hand.
Novak finally dropped his smile, "We need access to the surviving church texts, and Lucian's full history. Especially the time he spent in the cathedral as a child. Since your all to ignorant to understand the importance of the information, we will decipher it."
Sebastian simply turned to look out the window, that was not his decision to make. He said his piece. Still… the idea that the emperor and duke Darnings had been experimented on left a bad taste in his mouth… it might explain much about their stubbornness. Sebastian sighed, maybe he was just looking for reasons to excuse their atrocious behavior and lack of common decency.
Lucian was finally able to hear, even comprehend the last few bits of conversation as he forced himself to sit up. He leaned his head back so he could stare at the ceiling. "We permit it but take two of our mages with you." Lucian still felt as if he were trying to breathe while neck deep in a frozen swamp, but the raw emotions were starting to fade. Lucian forced himself to take long, drawn out breaths, hold them until the count of three, then slowly release until his vision settled.
Jakub kept watching the emperor… his efforts didn't seem feigned… but something was off. Lucian should be able to see the souls… hear them, but it looked more like he was a child hiding before he was beaten, not being beaten like the Darnings should react. After a few test Jakub should have a better understanding of the tools at his disposal.
"How much flesh and blood?" Lucian finally demanded when he was mostly recovered. His clothes were damp his sweat… at least he hoped it was only his sweat.
Jakub narrowed his eyes as he thought about the logistics, it was of course better to have fresh samples… and he hadn't been expecting to need resonance testing. "Depends on how diluted the blood has become. I need something from the dragon first… something with its blood or flesh to compare you to. Unless of course, you would like me to test using a bone." Jakub added maliciously as his eyes roamed Lucian's body expectantly.
Jaxon forced calm into his voice, "Did they reveal the location of the dragon heart? My understanding is that the sacrificed dependents all had their hearts blood poured into the ancestor's heart… would that be enough?"
Jakub spat on the ground, "No, even when they try to answer, their soul starts to take damage and their tongues burn. Whatever oath they took means they cannot even think of the location without them near bursting into flames." Jakub cursed glared at the wretched priests. Luckily, their souls hadn't been permanently damaged, just a few singes here and there.
Jaxon frowned, "We've searched the main cathedral several times, and already started removing the ground layer to look for tunnels, or a way into the catacombs." Jaxon explained pensively, he had ordered them to literally dig six feet down everywhere except the walls. Anywhere Bodin could fit was to be inspected…
Jakub nodded slowly, "A wise choice, no doubt it won't be easy to find. We can discuss plans in the morning… since I have to get at least one of those feathers…" Jakub conceded, patience, if he needed to improve his vision first… he had to please the beasts. Not an especially trying task, he might gain more information. The bird did seem… fairly concerned for the empire, "what did birds like again?"
Novak followed as Jakub started mumbling to himself as he walked out, not even a passing goodbye. The question did merit some investigation, particularly since he had offended the young beast… not his best moment. Novak signaled his men to watch the couple, everything they said and did would be reported. Three shadows stepped away from the walls, bowed, then melded back as if they had never been.